Everyone has special Christmas traditions: cookies left for Santa, presents from St. Nick, Christmas carols before bed, and more! 

While Advent and Christmas traditions vary from family to family, they differ even more from country to country! Read on to discover different Advent traditions from around the world, and how you can join in this time of anticipation.

Christmas Caroling – England

Christmas carols and hymns are found across various cultures, but the history of caroling goes back to the Reformation period in England, when the dominant Calvinist and Puritan leaders banned singing carols inside churches. Watchmen and wandering singers called ‘wassailers’ would travel from door to door singing old and new songs hoping to share a glass of wine with the host of the home. The verse “bring us some figgy pudding” in “We Wish you a Merry Christmas” originated from such a tradition.

Eventually the songs of the common people were recorded, and the Methodists were more lax on permitting such songs inside the Church. Caroling is still a popular advent tradition in England and beyond, and for many English folks, Christmas isn’t complete without a “Lessons and Carols” event on Christmas Eve ushering in the Christmas season. 

Día de las Velitas – Colombia

The “Día de las Velitas” or “Day of the Little Candles” is a Colombian tradition celebrating the eve of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which always falls during the Advent season.  

After sunset, millions of Colombian families will light candles and paper lanterns and place them throughout their homes, neighborhoods, and cities. The streets are lined with thousands of little lights; porches, balconies, churches, and squares are lit by the soft glow. It is popular to make a wish or prayer for every candle lit, in the hopes of ushering in hope and good wishes for the coming Christmas feast.

Dia de las Velitas originally began before the feast of the Immaculate Conception was instituted in 1854. The Franciscan brothers in Colombia encouraged the people to light holy candles in the hope that the dogma would be declared. Perhaps this year you too can light some candles on the evening of the 7th and say a prayer to Our Lady!

Carrying St. Joseph – the Alps

St. Joseph is such a quiet figure, he is often neglected during festive times such as Advent. In the Alps however, the young boys of the village will celebrate a tradition called “Josephstragen” or “carrying St. Joseph” in the eight days leading up to Christmas. One boy will bring the statue from his home and process around the neighborhood. Each evening, a new boy will join the procession, as each new house hosts St. Joseph for a night. 

On Christmas Eve, nine girls join, and the children process with the statue to the Church before midnight Mass. Maybe consider beginning this tradition in your own life – processing St. Joseph around your home, spending time with each child, and processing him to the creche on Christmas Eve. 

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Mexico

One of the biggest celebrations in the Americas is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Falling on December 12 in the middle of Advent, the feast commemorates the apparition of Our Lady to St. Juan Diego in 1531. 

Traditions include dancing, singing, colorful clothes and decorations, and lots and lots of flowers. 

At midnight on the night of feast, huge crowds of people will gather in Mexico City to sing “las mananitas” to our Lady. This is a song of congratulations, often accompanied by processions, and a midnight Mass in honor of our Lady. 

Be sure to attend Mass on the 12th, and maybe bring Mary a few flowers this Advent!

Misas de Aguinaldo – Philippines

The days leading up to Christmas are celebrated a bit differently in the Philippines, with the “Misas de Aguinaldo,” the Masses of “musical gifts” or “Christmas presents.” The tradition is not unique to the Philippines, but is celebrated in other nations such as Puerto Rico due to the influence of Spanish missionaries.

The “Misas de Aguinaldo” are a series of nine Masses celebrated at dawn leading up to Christmas. Characterized by the cheerful Christmas songs sung with traditional instruments, the Misas de Aguinaldo are festive and hopeful. The tradition culminates with midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, traditionally called the “Misa de Gallo” or “Mass of the Rooster” a reference to the ancient alarm clock of the people. A beautiful creche or live nativity often accompany the tradition.

Paper Lanterns – China 

While today many Christians are persecuted for their faith in China, for centuries Chinese Christians decorated for Advent and Christmas using beautiful paper lanterns. 

They place these lanterns around their house and decorate their Christmas trees with them. This beautiful tradition is reminiscent of the passage from Isaiah: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”

Perhaps this Christmas season, as you look at the beautiful decorations and lights, you will remember to pray for our Catholic brothers and sisters who are celebrating Christmas in darkness this year. Learn how to make your own here!

Las Posadas – Latin America

Originating in Spain and Mexico but now celebrated throughout Latin America, the tradition of “Las Posadas,” loosely translated as “the Inns,” is another nine-day tradition leading up to Christmas. Las Posadas commemorates Mary’s months of pregnancy, and the Holy Family’s search for shelter on Christmas Eve.

For the celebration, a couple dressed as Mary and Joseph are accompanied by a procession of children dressed as shepherds and angels, as well as adults carrying candles. The entire group will go from door to door asking for admittance. 

They are sent away at all doors until the procession reaches the designated host home, where the travelers are allowed to enter. Festive food, music, and prayers are shared until the night ends with a star-shaped piñata. Each night, a different house hosts the pilgrims, and on Christmas Eve it culminates with Midnight Mass in the parish church. 

Perhaps a star-shaped piñata can be a part of your festivities this year!

Presepe – Italy

“Presepe,” or nativity scenes, are an Italian tradition with roots in the small mountain town of Greccio where St. Francis of Assisi held the first live nativity scene. Since then the tradition of having a live nativity, or a small creché,  in one’s home has spread throughout the world, but nowhere does it like Italy.

In every Church and home elaborate and detailed “presepe” appear throughout the Advent season. Whole villages populated with various inhabitants of different times and regions appear, and it is often difficult to locate the quiet nativity scene among the statutory hustle and bustle.

Some craftsmen would include members of their own family and friends among the statuary. 

Do you own a small nativity scene? Perhaps this year you can purchase one or add to your collection!

Barbarazweig – Germany

The feast of St. Barbara falls on December 4th towards the beginning of Advent. Thought to be of German origin, the celebration of picking “Barbarazweig” or Barbara’s branches, continues to this day.

There are several legends surrounding Barbara and her branches. It is believed that she nurtured a dried-up cherry tree that bloomed just before her martyrdom. Others say that flowers would blossom on her grave at Christmas. 

Today, people will still cut branches from a flowering tree, cherry, hazel, forsythia, or apple, place them in water, and wait for them to bloom around Christmas time. This practice of patience is a good reminder of the hope and anticipation with which the Holy Family must have waited.